Sports timer



Feb. 11, 1941. L. c. BUTTS ETAL SPORTS TIMER Filed Nov. 1",1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhmentor :ar/ K [infer t meg Feb. 11, 1941. L, g, BUTTS ETAL 2,231,321

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SPORTS TIMER Filed Nov. 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 76 MW Wmwmtor attorney Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES SPORTS TIMER Leonard C. Butts and Earl V. Foster, Pullman,

Wash.

Application November 1, 1937, Serial No. 172,196

5 Claims.

Our present invention relates to an improved sports timer or clock of the type employing electrically-actuated operating-mechanism for the hands of the clock, and manually controlled 5 electric devices for starting, stopping, reversing, and setting the hands of the timing mechanism.

While we have herein illustrated our inven tion as embodied in a manually operated, electric remote-control, timing mechanism, for use in. a football game, it will be unde stood that the mechanism of our invention may be adapted for timing other games, sports, and sporting events; and the exemplified invention may also be embodied in tower-clocks, and other outdoor clocks that are viewed from a long distance, and are subject to varying weather conditions.

In carrying out our invention, we use a compactly arranged dial train of gears for revolving the hands at their predetermined relative speeds to insure accuracy and reliable time-keeping, and the hands are supported and guided to insure a uniform and continuous operation, and the invention further involves certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and claimed. In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one embodiment of our invention, but it will be understood that various changes and alterations are contemplated, and may be made, within the scope of our claims, without departing from the principles of our invention.

Figure 1 is a face view of a score-board, showing the dial and hands of a sports-timer equipped 35 with the operating mechanism of my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view through the score-board, showing the two hands and operating mechanism in side elevation, the remote control switch-box, and

other parts of the operating mechanism including the constant operating motor.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detai1 view at the free end of the second-hand, showing its traction wheel in rolling frictional contact with its racktrack, and its guard-rol1er also engaging the rear edge of the track.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail, perspective view of the annular track.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view, partly in section showing the driven-axle and hub of the second hand and the driving mechanism and motor therefor, together with the interconnecting train of gearing for operating the minute hand, and also indicating the relation of the auxiliary setting mechanism for the hands.

Figure 6 is an end view of the operating motor and its brake mechanism.

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of the auxiliary setting motor with its connections to the gear train of the hands.

Figure 8 is a top plan view showing both the operating motor and the auxiliary motor, with their brakes, and the operating connections from the motors to the gearing.

Figure 9 is a diagram of the wiring of the remote control for the motors.

In Figure 1 the timing mechanism of our invention is combined with a score-board B supported in upright position by a suitable frame F, and the circular dial D is mounted in suitable manner on the board. The dial is provided with fifteen divisions to correspond with a fifteenminute quarter in a football game and also provided with sixty divisions to indicate the seconds in a minute. or rotates continuously, one revolution per minute, with its pointer registering with the second-divisions, and the minute-hand M also revolves continuously, one revolution per period of fifteen minutes, unless the hands are stopped for time out or for other reasons. The minute hand M indicates remaining minutes to play in a quarter, and the second-hand S indicates the lapse of minutes, the ratio of speed of the two hands being as fifteen to one.

Starting with the numeral [6 on the drawings, this symbol designates an annular track or ring mounted on the board B and provided with teeth I! on its outer edge to form an annular rack, the rear edge of the rack being plane, and the track is rigidly mounted on the board by means of brackets l8. The track is designed to guide, and stabilize the movement of the long secondhand S, and at the free end of this hand a flanged or grooved guide roller [9 is mounted on pin 20 in the bracket arm 2| fixed on the rear side of the pointed end of the hand. The guide roller runs on the rear edge of the annular track I6 and thus retains the hand in proper relation to the board.

The second-hand S is revolved through the instrumentality of a traction Wheel, preferably a rack wheel, 22, that rotates, or rather is rotated, in frictional contact with the annular rack I1, and as will be obvious, the guide roller 19 and the traction or rack wheel 22, maintain the free end of the long hand in correct operative position. The traction wheel is mounted on an axle 23, parallel with and located at the rear of the hand S, and the axle is journaled in The second-hand S revolves H suitable bearings, as 24 in the bracket 2|, and other bearings attached to the hand S.

At the pivot point of the hand S a flanged hub 25 is attached to its rear side, and this hollow hub, as indicated in Fig. 5, also has a bearing 24 for the inner end of the axle 23. The hub is also fashioned with a bearing sleeve or collar 26 that is rigidly mounted, as by a key, on the front end of a tubular arbor 21 which forms the axis of movement of the second-hand S with which it is rigidly connected.

A second, tubular arbor 28, rigid with and forming the center of movement of the minutehand M, is concentrically journaled on the first or inner arbor 21, and this arbor 28 is also journaled in a conical bearing-cap 29 that has an attaching flange and is bolted to a frame-plate 30. This plate, with another spaced parallel, vertically disposed plate 3| forms part of the supporting frame attached at the rear side of the board B, and in which frame the operating parts of the mechanism are mounted.

The concentric arbors 21 and 28 pass through an opening in the board and dial, and as best seen in Figure 5, a power spindle 32 is journaled to revolve within the inner, tubular, arbor 27. On the outer end of this spindle and the inner end of the axle 23 are mounted a bevel ear couple 33 that transmits motion from the spindle to the axle for operating the traction wheel 22, and it will be seen that the spindle extends beyond the full length of the inner arbor 21, to the rear, through the frame 3|. At its rear end the spindle is provided with a trunnion 34 mounted in the box 35 fixed to the frameplate 3|, and by means of a suitable clutch, as 36, the spindle 32 is connected with a worm shaft 37 and worm gearing shown by dotted lines at 38 in a gear-case 39. The drive shaft 49 of the main, electric, operating motor 4| transmits power through the worm gearing, spindle, axle, and traction wheel, for rolling frictional contact of the wheel with the stationary annular rack, to rotate the second-hand S.

The minute-hand M is also revolved by the operating motor 4!. As the hand M revolves only once while the hand S is revolving fifteen times, as here illustrated, a train of reduction gears is employed for transmitting the slower speed to the minute hand M. This slower speed is taken from the arbor 21, in Figure 5, through the small gear or pinion 42 fixed on and rotatable with the arbor, and an idler pinion 43 journaled on the frame plate 3| transmits power to a larger gear wheel 44. The larger gear 44 is fixed, as by a set screw, on a sleeve 45 that is journaled on an axle 46 supported in the two frame plates 30 and 3|, and a reducing pinion 4! fixed on the sleeve meshes with the large reduction gear 48 loosely journaled on the tubular arbor 2'! of the second-hand S.

A planetary gearing is arranged between the large reduction gear 48 and the tubular arbor 28 of the minute-hand M, and this gearing includes a face-gear 49 rigid with gear 48, and a spaced complementary face-gear 50 bolted to the flanged end of the arbor 28 that terminates within the frame for the operating parts of the mechanism. Between the two face gears 49 and 59 are interposed the hub 5|! on the arbor 27 and the two or more bevel pinions 5| for transmitting power across the planetary gearing to the arbor 23 of the minute hand M, and a hub 53 (Fig. 2) rigidly mounted on the arbor 28 is also rigidly attached to the minute hand M.

For stopping the timing mechanism, and holding the two hands stationary, as in Figure 1, where the minute hand M shows that there are ten more minutes to play in the fourth quarter and it is necessary to take time out, and also for other purposes, we employ in connection with the operating motor 4!, a spring-actuated, electro-magnetically released braking mechanism which is conveniently applied to the fly wheel St on the motor shaft 49.

As best seen in Figure 6 a brake-lever, having a brake-arm 5-5 of arcuate shape, is mounted in position to control the fly wheel, and a friction pad or shoe is mounted on the arm for engagement with the periphery of the fly wheel. A spring 55 is connected to one end of the brake arm and its other end is anchored to a suitable supporting frame, the spring being adapted to pull the brake arm into contact with the fly wheel. A solenoid or elEctro-magnet 57 is also mounted in the frame, and an arm 58 of the brake lever forms the armature for the magnet. The lever is pivoted in the supporting frame at and it will be apparent that the lever is alternately swung on its pivot by action of the spring and by action of the solenoid. The solenoid is included in the electrical control circuits of the timing mechanism, and the solenoid is energized, while the timing mechanism is operating, to hold the brake arm 55 away from the fly wheel. When this normally closed brakecircuit is opened, the spring instantly applies the brake to stop the motor 4|.

For quick-action in setting the minute hand M, as for instance in adjusting the hand to agree with the stop-watch of an oflicial of the game, we employ an auxiliary high-speed, motor-operated mechanism, which, as best seen in Figures 7 and 8, is applied to the planetary gearing between the large reduction gear 48 and the arbor 28 of the minute hand M, by power from the auxiliary electric motor 60 that is mounted in the frame 30-3l. The spokes of the hub 55) of the planetary gearing project beyond the bevel gears 5|, 52 of the gearing, and a worm gear-ring 6| is mounted on the ends of the spokes, exterior of the bevel gears 5|, 52.

A worm-gear is enclosed within the gear-case 62, adjoining the motor 63, and the worm-gear operated by the motor transmits power through gear shaft 63 to the bevel gear couple 64 to the worm shaft 65 upon which is mounted a worm 6B which meshes with the worm gear ring 6| of the planetary gearing. When the auxiliary motor is energized, the high-speed setting mechanism may be used to quickly turn or adjust the minute hand M for corrected timing, or for agreement with the stop watch carried by the oflicial.

The motor for the high-speed setting mechanism is also controlled by a spring actuated braking mechanism that is released by an electro-magnet in a braking circuit, the construction and arrangement being substantially the same as that used for the operating motor 4|. This braking mechanism is indicated in Figure 9. where the fly wheel 51 of the motor 60 is held while the timing mechanism is operating, by the brake arm 68, through the energization of the solenoid 89. The spring 10 in Figure 8 applies the brake to the fly wheel when the solenoid is de-energized.

The two motors and other electrically operated devices are under remote electrical control, through the use of a portable switch-box II that is carried in the hand of an operator. The box H contains the required manually controlled switches, and as indicated in Figure 2 the control wires from the portable box form the cable C that leads to the box or container 12 mounted in the frame 3il-3| so that the wires may conveniently be connected to the various electrical appliances mounted in the supporting frame 3U-3|.

In the electrical diagram Figure 9, power for actuating the timing mechanism is provided from the main wires at the top of the figure, to the main or cut-off switch 13 at the box 12.

The portable hand-gripped switch-box (dotted lines) contains three manually operated switches 14, 15 and 16 that are readily accessible to the fingers and thumb of the operator, for starting, stopping, and reversing the movements of both the operating motor 4| and the auxiliary motor 68, and this portable switch-box is carried by the operator along the side-lines of the playing field.

The cable C, of course, is flexible, and the wires contained therein connect the switches in the switch-box II with the operating parts or appliances of the electric circuits in the box 12 which is mounted in the frame back of the score-board.

In diagram, to start the motor Al, the switch 14 is closed, thereby closing the circuit of a relay H, which relay is energized to automatically throw the switch 18 in a supply wire of the motor circuit extending to the initial starting field 19 of the synchronous operating motor 4i. At the same instant the winding of solenoid 51 is energized and the brake 55 is withdrawn from the flywheel 54. The motor thus initially started is provided with a rotary centrifugal circuit breaker 30 which is normally closed when the motor is idle and which is opened when the motor attains the required speed for the purpose of opening the switch, and the load of the motor is thus automatically shifted to the synchronous field 8| of the motor. Thereafter, the operating load of the timing mechanism is carried on the synchronous field of the motor 4| operating through its closed circuit.

The operating motor 4| may be reversed as, for instance, for the purpose of correcting or adjust ing the positions of the hands S and M, by closing the switch 15 to close a circuit and energize a relay 82, thus throwing a pair of switches 83 and B4 (to the right in Figure 9) in the motor circuit. The power now developed in the starting field 18 of the motor 4| when the switch 14 is subsequently closed is reversed. The centrifugal switch 88 operates as before and automatically shifts the load to the synchronous field 8| when the motor attains its normal running speed. The motor will thus run in reverse to actuate the operating mechanism of the timer until the switch 74 is again opened to break the reverse circuit. Before the motor will operate the mechanism and the hands in the forward direction the switch 75 must be opened thus releasing the switches 83 and 84 from the solenoid 82. It will be understood that each time the switch 14 is opened the field of the solenoids 51 is de'energized and the spring 56 draws the brake shoe 55 into frictional engagement with the fly-wheel 54.

The auxiliary motor 69 which operates the high speed gearing for quick action in re-setting the minute hand M is of the same type as the operating motor 4| and has an initial starting field 88, a rotary centrifugal switch 89, and a synchronous field 90. As hereinbefore described the motor 60 has provided at one end of the shaft a fly-wheel 61 which is engaged by a brake 68 that is operated by means of the solenoid 59. These electrical parts are included in the operating circuits so that the operating motor 4| may be cut out and the auxiliary motor 60 cut in and controlled by the manipulation of the switches l4, l5, and E6 in a manner similar to the described electrical control of the operating motor. This is accomplished by closing the switch 16 to charge the solenoid 85 and thus attract the switches 86 and 81 to the right in the diagram. It will thus be apparent that as long as switch 16 is closed the operating fields of the motor 4| and of the solenoid 5'! are de-energized. and thus entirely inoperative. A subsequent closing of the switch 14 will energize the relay TI and close the switch 73 which now energizes the starting field 88 of the motor 60 and at the same time energizes the field 69 of the solenoid to release the brake 68 and permit the free revolution of the fly-wheel 6'! that is mounted upon the central shaft of the motor Ell. The motor B ll thus being started, upon. attaining a sufficient speed of revolution has the operating load shifted to the synchronous field Q0 through the opening of the centrifugal switch 89. Under such conditions and as long as the switch 75 is open the motor 60 will operate the mechanisms to revolve the hands S and M in a forward direction. but at a higher speed than when the hands are operated by means of the motor 4 l. While switch 16 is closed the closing of switch 75 reverses the starting field 88 of the motor 6| and that motor will be operated in the reversed direction in the same manner as described for the motor 4|. The moment that switch M again opened the solenoid field 69 is de-energized and the spring It draws the brake 58 into engagement with the fly-wheel 61 to effectively and instantaneously brake the motor 60.

While we have illustrated the timing mechanism as adapted for use in a football game, it will be understood that the dial and the movement of the two hands may be altered as required in their adaptation to other games and other sporting events. The time divisions on the dial may be changed, and the relative rotary speed of the hands may be changed, and of course the ratios of the gearing in the operating mechanism for the hands may be changed.

When the electrically actuated operating mechanism and hands are embodied in an outdoor clock, as for instance a tower-clock, some of the functions of the remote-control usually employed in a game, may be omitted, but the necessary accessories are employed for proper maintenance of the clock in its time-keeping functions and accuracy in the performance of its functions. In an out-door clock, where gigantic hands are employed, the traction gearing for the transmission of power at the free end of the large hand provides a substantial reduction in the leverage required for moving the hand continuously, and at the same time the traction devices protect the hand against windload or pressure, and retain the hand in correct relative position with regard to the dial, so that the hand may perform its functions with reliability and accuracy.

The compact arrangement of the hand hubs and the two tubular hand-arbors with the driving spindle in their concentric arrangement, not only provides a substantial support for the two hands and the traction mechanism, but in addition these concentric members are protected from the weather, and by their simple construction and operation afford efiiciency and durability for the hands and their supports. The dial gear trains and driving mechanism therefor, and the re-setting mechanism with its driving means are compactly arranged, simple in construction and operation, and are rugged and durable to Withstand hard wear, and are accurately arranged for efnciency in operation.

Having thus fully described our invention, what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a timing mechanism, the combination with a dial, and a spaced annular track mounted thereon having a rack-edge and an opposed plane edge, of a revolvable hand having a rack wheel journaled thereon and meshing with the rack-edge, a guide roller mounted on the hand and engaging said plane edge, a driving axle journaled on the hand on which the rack wheel is fixed, an angularly disposed driving spindle and operatin means therefor, and a gear-couple operatively connecting said axle and. spindle.

2. In a timing mechanism, the combination With two hands and a motor for actuating the hands, of driving means connected with the motor and means operated thereby for revolving one of the hands, a tubular arbor supporting said hand, a second, concentric tubular arbor supporting the other hand, a train of speedreducing gears transmitting power from the driving means to the second arbor and means operably interposed between said second arbor and said gear train and having an element rigid with said train forming an auxiliary high speed drive for resetting one of the hands, and means for driving said latter means.

3. In a timing mechanism, the combination with two hands and a motor for actuating the hands, a driving means including a driving spindle connected with the motor and means operated thereby for revolving one of the hands, said hand having a tubular supporting arbor journaled on the spindle, a second concentric tubular arbor supporting the other hand, a train of speed-reducing gears between said spindle and the second arbor and means operably interposed between said second arbor and said train and having an element rigid with said train forming an auxiliary high speed drive for resetting one of the hands, and means for driving said latter means.

4. In a timing mechanism, the combination with a driving spindle and inner and outer tubular concentric arbors, and means for revolving the spindle, of a train of gears operatively connected With said spindle, planetary gearing having an element thereof rigid with one gear of said train, and another opposed gearing element rigid with said outer arbor for driving the same, the inner arbor operatively connected with another gear of said train, and an auxiliary high speed resetting mechanism including a ring gear mounted on said planetary gearing and operatively connected therewith, and a motor operatively connected with said ring gear for driving said resetting mechanism.

5. In a timing mechanism, the combination with a driving spindle and inner and outer arbors and means for revolving the spindle, of a train of gears operatively connected with said spindle, a planetary gearing having an element thereof rigid with one gear of said train, and another opposed gearing element rigid with said outer arbor, the inner arbor operatively connected with another gear of said train, and an auxiliary high speed hand resetting mechanism including a ring gear mounted on said planetary gearing and operatively connected therewith, a motor for driving said mechanism and a brake on said motor adapted in operative position to maintain the gear ring inoperative.

LEONARD C. BUTTS. EARL V. FOSTER, 

